LOCAL BOYS MAKE GOOD AT STUD

LOCAL BOYS MAKE GOOD AT STUD
South African bred stallions have been riding the crest of a wave in recent times.
Following on the success of the legendary stallion Jet Master (champion sire on six occasions), the likes of Captain Al and Dynasty, National Emblem and Victory Moon, and now Rebel King and Jay Peg, are ensuring that the SA bred sires continue to be in great demand.

A sign of their success and popularity can be viewed in the results at the 2013 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale where seven of the top ten lots sold (including the sales topper) were sired by SA bred sons.

Jet Master, a former Horse of the Year, achieved a level success that most breeders can only dream about.
The multiple champion sire not only dominated the local stallion logs, but he was also extremely popular in the sales ring. Jet Master, to date, has been represented by 52 stakes winners – of which 18 are Gr1 winners! His progeny include no fewer than four Equus Champions, including the legendary Pocket Power. Jet Master’s offspring also include the likes of Lizarre, River Jetez and J J The Jet Plane – all of whom competed successfully overseas.

Captain Al recently became South Africa’s Champion Sire of Juveniles (by prize money) for a fifth successive year. This a truly remarkable feat for a stallion who has made it the hard way. Not only is Captain Al one of South Africa’s very best sires, he is also one of the most consistent. Already the sire of over 100 black type performers, Captain Al’s offspring include six Grade One winners including champion fillies Captain’s Lover and All Is Secret.

He is also a promising broodmare sire, with Captain Al’s daughters having already produced the likes of Gr1 winner Potent Power and Cape Nursery hero Flash Drive.

Horse of the Dynasty has been a true sire sensation – both in the sales ring and on the track. Yearlings by the legendary champion dominated the 2013 yearling sales ring circuit. At the 2013 Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale, Dynasty was not only responsible for the R3 600 000 sales topping colt, but sired three of the top five lots. Already sire of a South African Horse of the Year in Irish Flame, Dynasty’s superb daughter Beach Beauty was recently named KZN’s Horse of the Year for the 2012-2013 racing season. His legacy is still on the rise!

The late, great National Emblem was himself a former Champion sire of 2YOS. The son of National Assembly sired champion Nhlavini, promising sire Rebel King and international sensation, Shea Shea. The latter, a dual Gr1 winner in South Africa, won the Gr1 AL Quoz Sprint in 2013, and has been placed in three of Britain’s greatest sprint races.

The ill-fated Dubai champion Victory Moon left his mark through champion daughter Princess Victoria, star sprinter Nocturnal Affair as well as such high-class performers as War Horse (Gr1 Golden Horseshoe) and Straight Set. The latter was placed in three Grade One races as 2YO!

Two of South Africa’s most exciting young stallions are the locally bred champions, Jay Peg and Rebel King.
South Africa’s all time leading money earner, and international superstar, Jay Peg made an awesome start with his first juveniles last season. His first crop included two individual graded stakes winners in the form of Olympic Owen (Gr3 Protea Stakes) and Flash Drive (Gr3 Cape of Good Hope Nursery) respectively, as well as a number of other extremely promising winners.

Former Equus Champion Sprinter Rebel King was South Africa’s joint leading first crop sire last season by individual winners. His tally include the stakes filly Letas Bonnet, unbeaten Stylish Virginia and eye catching debut winner Mylinne. His offspring are held in high regard by many of the Cape’s leading trainers, and Rebel King looks to be on the way to maintaining the success enjoyed by the wonderful National Assembly male line.

South Africa’s greatest champion, Horse Chestnut, has made a very promising start with his first local crop last season. His juveniles included the impressive Gold Prospector (winner of two of his three starts to date), the unbeaten Pistacchio and Gr1 contender Chestnut’s Rocket. Horse Chestnut, the last colt to win the SA Triple Crown, looks set to continue the great Fort Wood legacy in South Africa.

This season, Horse Chestnut will be joined at Drakenstein Stud by multiple Equus Champion Sprinter, What A Winter. A strikingly handsome horse, the brilliant What A Winter, one of the best sprinters to have raced in South Africa over many years, won 15 races and over R3 000 000 during his career.
He has proven exceptionally popular, and is booked full with 109 mares for his first season at stud. A blue blooded horse, What A Winter is a son of champion sire Western Winter and is from the family of leading sires Sir Tristram and Hyperion.

These are just a few of the local stallions who have, or are making it good. No doubt this list will continue to grow over the years!